David assigns the temple musicians their duties

1David and the temple officials chose the descendants of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to be in charge of music. They were to praise the LORD by playing cymbals, harps and other stringed instruments. Here is a list of the musicians and their duties:

2Asaph's four sons, Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, were under the direction of their father and played music whenever the king told them to.

3Jeduthun's six sons, Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,25.3 Shimei: One Hebrew manuscript and two ancient translations; other Hebrew manuscripts do not have this name. Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, were under the direction of their father and played harps and sang praises to the LORD.

4Heman had fourteen sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. 5Heman was one of the king's prophets, and God honoured Heman by giving him fourteen sons and three daughters. 6His sons were under his direction and played cymbals, harps, and other stringed instruments during times of worship at the temple.

Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman took their orders directly from the king.

7There were two hundred and eighty-eight of these men, and all of them were skilled musicians. 8David assigned them their duties by asking the LORD what he wanted.25.8 asking the LORD what he wanted: The Hebrew text has “casting lots” (see the note at 6.65). Everyone was responsible for something, whether young or old, teacher or student.

9-31The musicians were divided into twenty-four groups of twelve, and each group went by the name of their family leader. They were assigned their duties in the following order: Joseph, Gedaliah, Zaccur, Zeri, Nethaniah, Bukkiah, Asarelah, Jeshaiah, Mattaniah, Shimei, Uzziel, Hashabiah, Shebuel, Mattithiah, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Joshbekashah, Hanani, Mallothi, Eliathah, Hothir, Giddalti, Mahazioth, and Romamtiezer.